Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-06-23
me Captured IBaasle FIags.

me 4fFAWh1W SNse@AD AA@%"f
The main feature of the war depart
ments order respecting the captured
Confederate flags, and the Presidents (
partial approval Of the same, is the excel
lent pretext IL affords the bowling Repub-
loan politicians whose occupation had
well-nigh departed to again whoop up the
"old war cry,n and pose in their favorite
attitude as the aaviors Of the country.
Aside from this there il very little in the
whole subject to got worried over,
and great many organizations
that havs already issued wildly in.
dignant protests, would feel much better
to-day had they followed the example Of
our CITY Council and deferred their frothy |
outbursts until the exact situation Of af- |
fairs was ascertained-
Viewed in the light of the calm that |
followed thursdays storm Of senseiess
indignation, IL appears that the whole
trouble emanated from harmless scheme
OF the Secretary of War and the Adjutant-
General. In these piping times OF
peace but little occurs TO direct public
attention to the war department
and il notoriety was the desired
result, the department has certainly sue
ceeded beyond all expectations. The
Secretary of War and Adjutant. General
~, NIGH. a womb boa good iden 10 return
al the battle flags In the department.
Union and Oonfederato-to the states
from which they originally came, and
evidently without giving the subject that
careful attention TO minute detail that
has been prominent feature of his
administration, tho President approved
the suggestion. This was all.
When the resultant cutlery attracted
public attention 20 tho matter, the Presi-
dent ascertained that the transfer could
only be made by order of Congress, and
and at once directed that no further steps
DO taken in the matter. How great dis
appointment this is to the ''bloody shirt"
orators who were ready to adopt even the
doctrine Of States Rights in opposing the
general government in this matter can
better be imagined than described,
but it Is presumed that the country will
jog along as usual, despite the rage of
.ss,ese warriors in not being permitted TO
pathe their hands in administration gore.
The camp followers, suffers, Fort Della
ware heroes and ahome guards" who OF
this late day, excel battle-scarred veterans
in loyalty and courage, will continue to
howl and rage, but the true soldiers
will recognize the situation and trouble
their heads no more about it. The animus
of the ''bloody shirt" organs, and then
senseless delight at what is considered 0
glorious chance to make political capital is
apparent, but sensible people oil over the
country will heartily agree with thai
staunch Republican journal, the Phila
delphia Inquirer, when it says "Apar
Il from partisan feeling it is but just tim
they (the fags) should remain in Wash
ington. The report that they are ez
hibited az trophies of Union yalor to tn
masses is untrue, and If they should b
sent south they would certainly be use
to glorify the men who sought to destro
Ehe Union. Bury them with the blood
shirt and all the people will be please
and no harm DONE"
II nc other good is accomplished, how
ever, the controversy may result in th
adoption of measures for the preservatio
of these relics of the war. For year
they have not been thought OF and no.
that public attention is Eattracted
them, it is learned that they hay
been packed in boxes and stored in ~
COLLAR and Mite Of tine war department
but ior 'b atsade they might ~,
been forgotten until they rotted nwa!
while now that they have been recalle
to public view, arrangements can
made to preserve them for the future, NJ
az promoters OF partisan feeling Az
political atrife. but ms hallowed memol
toes of glorious nation that sprur
from resistance to tyranny, and outlivc
even the bitter memories and section
iealousies engendered by civil wnr.